Project Weißer Regen: 91 318iS Restomod

[Vincenze]

I know more people that had a poor experience with BaT (including myself) rather than good. Unfortunately BaT is now more focused on the $$$ and flash rather than the model they grew into naturally....selling the business to Hearst did nothing positive.

There are regular classic auctions. I think there is one in Arizona.
Why didn't you use them?

[mjweimer]

Congrats - I'm happy to hear you were able to finalize a deal with an enthusiast that understands the value of the car.


I know more people that had a poor experience with BaT (including myself) rather than good. Unfortunately BaT is now more focused on the $$$ and flash rather than the model they grew into naturally....selling the business to Hearst did nothing positive.

[wazzu70]

Glad to hear things worked out in the end! Your experience makes me hesitant to consider listing something on the site or buy something on it. Overall, it makes me think much less of the auction house.

Seems like another site dedicated to Porsche and allows other stuff when convenient!

[Jordan]

Doesn't vapor honing remove anodizing over aluminum surfaces, and those aluminum surfaces will oxidize in a few years?
Vapor honing was the reason aluminum surfaces in the car look very shiny. Anodized surfaces usually look dull.

I'm not aware of any surfaces on the E30 that have anodized aluminum aside from the "chrome" window linings and bumpers (USDM spec)

Vapor honing is incredibly gentle, and wouldn't remove anodization anyway. The finish left by VH is oxidation resistant as it gentle shot peens the surface closed. Most of the aluminum on this car was processed years ago and still looks as good as the day it was done.

What makes it $20k more expensive than this 510-km iX?

https://www.supervettura.com/Car-Details/1986-BMW-325iX/4

While I feel this conversation is rather... uh... irrelevant my answer would be desirability.

[Vincenze]

I'm assuming you're using the price of 48k euros including VAT, which is 65k USD, so not really a big price difference.

If you want to import a $70,000 vehicle into the UK, I guess you have to add VAT too.
If you want to buy a $70,000 vehicle from BaT ($3,500 fee) and register it in California($7,500 tax), it becomes a $80,000 vehicle.

If you want to import a £40,000 vehicle to California, it becomes a $60,000 vehicle after paying taxes.

[rturbo 930]

What makes it $20k more expensive than this 510-km iX?

https://www.supervettura.com/Car-Details/1986-BMW-325iX/4

I'm assuming you're using the price of 48k euros including VAT, which is 65k USD, so not really a big price difference.

[Vincenze]

Yeah, really sucks that sell price. What a deal. Easily a 70k car.

What makes it $20k more expensive than this 510-km iX?

https://www.supervettura.com/Car-Details/1986-BMW-325iX/4

[Vincenze]

I’ve been under a few Bat cars and most are just a bunch of lip stick. I can’t tell you how discussed I get when I see rubberized undercoating hiding stuff and silver paint on oil pans.

Doesn't vapor honing remove anodizing over aluminum surfaces, and those aluminum surfaces will oxidize in a few years?
Vapor honing was the reason aluminum surfaces in the car look very shiny. Anodized surfaces usually look dull.

Vapor hone systems use water with abrasive to form slurry that is used for the cleaning effect.

[jsnppp]

I'm glad to hear this came out well in the end for all parties.

Agreed, a ban from BaT is hardly a concern. I "sold" one car on BaT (it did not meet reserve but the highest bidder and I reached an agreement) but will never again. Poor experience. I'd rather wait and sell it directly to someone where I can talk with them about it.

That being said, they have wonderful pictures of some wonderful cars.

[Jordan]

So what's the deal with the guy that "won" the auction, then? He loses out when he thought he won a great deal?

He was not expecting to not be outbid, and is well aware the price it sold for wasn't a reasonable conclusion. Me being banned from BaT was part of him getting his 5% buyers premium returned to him. All is well between us.

[Digitalwave]

So what's the deal with the guy that "won" the auction, then? He loses out when he thought he won a great deal?

[moatilliatta]

Bummer on the process, did you go thinking there was a “ROI”, holiday posting a bad time? Good to hear there’s is a market which will pay more. As I believe your 318is is one of the more genuine cars on Bat. Burkley hit the mail on the head, but I think it’s pretty cool to be banned from BAT.

I’ve been under a few Bat cars and most are just a bunch of lip stick. I can’t tell you how discussed I get when I see rubberized undercoating hiding stuff and silver paint on oil pans.

[rturbo 930]

Good to hear you ultimately got a fair price for it, you got absolutely robbed in that auction. No loss being banned from BAT IMO, that place comes off as a circle jerk. Great place to pay too much money for a car - except in this case.

[AusScare]

That's a shame to hear of your experience. Absolutely beautiful work and you are truly a master of your craft. In Australia the E30 market is fickle and I don't think a car of this level would have even got that sale price. However I did think there were customers in the US that would pay more, so sad to see it didn't get there.

I reckon you would make your money back in 911's or similar. Something where the customer base is ready to pay that bit extra. However, competition in restorations of that type of vehicle is much higher.

[Jordan]

To be clear, BaT shows this as a sale, and likely will onward and forever, but the reality is that the entire process with BaT was rather miserable from a sellers standpoint up to and including the lack luster final result, which is for the record, less than what I have into the car by a considerable amount.

In the minutes after the auction I received messages from two separate individuals that told me they were highly interested in the vehicle, and like many do on BaT (don't ask me why I don't get this) they waited until the last 2 minutes to bid. Their bids were not accepted when they hit submit, the page either failed to reload or resolve or simply timed out. Before long the auction was closed with very little activity in the final minutes with both of these registered bidders with valid cards on file for the 5% premium fee left without a voice.

I brought this issue to BaT's attention when they pressed me to sell the vehicle because it met the reserve they imposed, and they discredited and disregarded my assertion that the auction result was invalid. They actually had the nerve to try and accept credit for the the highest priced 318iS that has ever sold on their site like it had anything to do with them beyond the listing fee I paid.

Annnyyyywaaayyy after telling the "post-auction support" staffer what I thought of the process, poor execution on their part, and his opinion I caught myself the predictable result, a LiFeTiMe BaN from BaT....



k den.



All this said a sale is pending on the car for a price I can live with and the buyer and I agree to be fair.